Scotland bans American XL Bullies
Scotland is banning American XL Bullies after an influx of dogs being brought to Scotland to be rehomed, the First Minister has confirmed.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday (11 January), Yousaf said the ban will “in essence replicate” England’s legislation, as a way to respond to an increased flow of American XL Bullies moved to the north of the English border to evade England and Wales’ ban.
He said: “What has become clear, I’m afraid in the last few weeks, is that we have seen a flow of XL bully dogs coming to Scotland, a number of people coming to Scotland to bring XL bully dogs here to the country.
“We will in essence replicate the legislation that is in England and Wales here in Scotland because ultimately, although we do have a very good system of dog control notice schemes, and we do take the approach of deed not breed, we have to respond to the situation as it currently stands and therefore we will do what we need to do to ensure public safety.”
Earlier in the week, Community Safety Minister Siobhain Brown had warned that it was “important to ensure that Scotland does not become a safe haven or a dumping ground for XL Bully dogs from England and Wales” and cautioned people not to buy American XL Bullies.
